In an uncharacteristic unanimous vote, the Manchester Town Council appointed David M. Warner as acting town manager last night.
Mr. Warner is no newcomer. He lives on Park Avenue, and served as a project administrator for the town for 1 1/2 years to rewrite the charter in preparation for the change to a town-manager form of government.
He served until July 1992, when the town hired Terry L. Short as its first manager.
Mr. Short resigned last month, saying his role as the town's first manager was one that naturally led to some friction with a few council members and some residents.
Mr. Short said he decided it was best for him and the town to resign and negotiated a severance agreement with the council.
Mr. Warner said yesterday he was hopeful the town could move ahead from the deadlock and 3-2 votes that have occurred over the past year over a variety of issues.
"I think we can replace a lot of the conflict with some consensus," Mr. Warner said. "I think there have been some personality conflicts."
Mr. Warner will serve part time, working mornings and all day Friday as long as the town needs him, he said.
He will be paid $20 an hour for up to 25 hours a week.
Evenings, Mr. Warner is an administrator at Carroll Community College, supervising security and operations for the campus.
He retired seven years ago as director of pupil transportation for Carroll County Schools after a 25-year career there.
He said his priorities as town manager will be to catch up on town issues, keep the operations running smoothly and coordinate the search for a permanent manager.
Mr. Warner was sworn in early in the Town Council's public meeting, after an earlier closed session at which Mayor Earl A. J. "Tim" Warehime recommended him.